Busiest since before lockdown

Today saw the 800th anniversary of Loughborough receiving a royal charter for its twice weekly markets. Henry III granted the first charter to Hugh Le Dispenser who was Lord of the Manor in 1221. Actually, he granted the charter several times but it was the charter for a fair to be held on The Vigil and Day of St Peter ad Vincula (July 31 and August 1) that was celebrated today.

Not that people really noticed. Charnwood Arts had an artist on its market stall painting a 'tree' allegedly inspired by the geology of Bradgate Park, (see extra), and two re-enactors looking a bit like Robin Hood and Friar Tuck were standing outside the town hall. Just that those outlaws lived a bit further north of Loughborough, some 40 miles to the north in Sherwood Forest. I suppose they were wearing costumes of the era.

There were more people in the market today than I have seen in a very long while. Not quite as busy as before the lockdown of March 2020, but busy enough. Very few masks worn out on the open street.

We bought some fruit, waved Hello at Aziz who was busy in his shop and then walked to Queens Park for a welcome coffee and sandwich. I had to keep Basil on a short lead as he was wandering all over the place.

Returning to the car park we glanced up at the upper window of the osteopath's office (see extra). The skeleton looked quite desperate to be let out.